What is schizophrenia?

It can develop at any age but starts most commonly in adolescence and the early 20s. In young people aged 10-18 it accounts for 24.5% of all psychiatric admissions, with a marked rise after the age of 15. [3]Peak age of onset is later in women. Men are also more likely to have negative symptoms and more serious forms of schizophrenia. [4]Schizophrenia is also more common in migrants and this probably reflects a mixture of environmental and social factors. [5]